Things to Do in Beyoğlu Istanbul, Turkey For the first timer, or even the consummate return visitor, Istanbul’s endless sprawl and depth can be an overwhelming experience to take in (this "Like a Local Guide to Istanbul" can help though). The history alone of this one-time Roman, Byzantinian, Latin and Ottoman capital is a colossal enough task to bite into, without even beginning to take on ... Read Full Article
Search Results for: istanbul
A Day of Dining in Istanbul
Istanbul has a gourmet history that goes far beyond its famous beverages. Ottoman royalty demanded the best in their kitchens and devoted immense resources to developing a celebrated court cuisine. Istanbul was the hinge of the Spice Route, connecting caravans from Asia with European palates. Bridging the continents, Istanbul developed a cuisine that combines Mediterranean and Middle ... Read Full Article
Where to Stay in Istanbul
The hotels in Istanbul, Turkey come in a wide variety of styles and prices, and it isn’t difficult, when choosing where to stay, to book a hotel in the historic districts of Sultanahmet and Sirkeci. In choosing these ‘where to stay’ options, we gave priority to centrally located hotels with free WiFi. Our ‘where to stay’ recommendations are organized by star ranking, beginning with 5-star hotels ... Read Full Article
Three Extraordinary Istanbul Museums
I came by three extraordinary Istanbul museums because I was suffering from a case of culture overdose! For four days, I had ‘done’ all the obligatory Istanbul sights: I admired the tiles in the Blue Mosque, visited the soaring columns of the underground cistern, jostled with the crowds in the Grand Bazaar and the spice market, and I duly stood in line to visit the treasures of Topkapi ... Read Full Article
A Guide to Food in Istanbul
A visit to Turkey’s largest city can easily be centered on all the great foodstuffs Istanbul has to offer. Come with an appetite. Turkish cuisine combines influences from the Balkans, Middle East, and most recently the Ottoman Empire. It is incredibly fresh, simultaneously meat-centric and vegetarian friendly. Istanbul offers many of the standards of the Turkish repertoire as well as some ... Read Full Article
Exploring the Historic Mosques of Istanbul
There is so much to do while exploring the city of Istanbul – countless foods to sample, sites to visit, and culture to thoroughly immerse one’s self in. But, some of the most impressive historical and architectural gems of the city are the numerous mosques whose minarets dot the landscape. Hagia Sophia is perhaps the city’s most recognizable site. It stands as one of greatest examples of ... Read Full Article
Enchanting Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul, Turkey lies at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. It straddles not only two continents, but two cultures as well. Home to three successive empires over the years – Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman – it’s a delightful mishmash of old and new where you can wander ancient streets and then check out the latest modern art exhibit or marvel at a centuries-old ornate mosque and then party till dawn ... Read Full Article
Unexpected Delights: Istanbul, Turkey
Due to a strange, yet fortuitous, turn of events during a trip to Greece, I found myself in Istanbul, Turkey for two days with some of my favorite travel companions: my parents, sister, and our beloved grandmother. My father, who didn’t have many opportunities to travel in his younger years, is perhaps the most joyful and respectful traveler I have ever met. In his quest to “soak it all in,” he ... Read Full Article
UNESCO Sites – Bucket List Challenge
UNESCO World Heritage Sites - Bucket List Challenge Most people have heard and even visited a few UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These are sights of cultural or environmental significance (or both) that we need to protect for future generations. Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live with today, and what we pass on to future generations. Our cultural and natural heritage are both ... Read Full Article
Why Now is the Best Time to Visit the Balkans
Visit the Balkans Now Before it Turns Into A Tourist Trap At the beginning of the year, Vogue, Condé Nast, Travelzoo, and a wealth of others declared Eastern Europe the destination of 2017. If you are a follower of trends, then now is the time to visit the Balkans, because this is the most beautiful and underrated part of Eastern Europe. But if trends are not dictating your travels, now is still ... Read Full Article